[thumb] n [ME thoume, thoumbe, fr. OE thuma; akin to OHG thumo thumb, L tumere to swell] (bef. 12c) 1: the short thick digit of the human hand that is analogous in position to the big toe and differs from the other fingers in having only two phalanges, allowing greater freedom of movement, and being opposable to each of them; also: a corresponding digit in lower animals
2: the part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb
3: a convex molding: ovolo -- all thumbs : extremely awkward or clumsy -- under one's thumb or under the thumb : under control: in a state of subservience "her father did not have her that much under his thumb --Hamilton Basso"
[2]thumb vt (ca. 1647) 1 a: to leaf through (pages) with the thumb: turn b: to soil or wear by or as if by repeated thumbing "a badly ~ed book"
2: to request or obtain (a ride) in a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb ~ vi 1: to turn over pages "~ through a book"
2: to travel by thumbing rides: hitchhike "~ed across the country" -- thumb one's nose 1: to place the thumb at one's nose and extend the fingers as a gesture of scorn or defiance
2: to express disdain or defiance "thumb their nose at opulence --Sales Management"